What is the proper etiquette when eating at all you can eat buffet?

[Bonami]

How long can you stay? I had not been to one for a very long time. Do you find that geographically people behave differently?
 

[kathleenkleinhans]

all you can eat!

[bshee58]

There is no time limit on buffet eating, i think. But people will generally eat until they get filled up, and some just come in and eat a little and leave, because the food is good and cheap.

[adriarobi]

The etiquette is to eat all you can!

Thus, successful visit.

 

[jkhanson]

I didn't realize there was a proper etiquette on eating at a buffet.

I think it is common courtesy to eat a meal size portion.  Just because you are at a buffet doesn't mean eat til you are bursting.

A buffet is a nice way to sample some dishes that you haven't had before.  If you find you like it, then get more; rather than get a heaping plate of something then discard it.  Be reasonable and not wasteful.

[ladavia89]

I wouldn't stay there for hours at a time. I've seen people that go earlier in the day when the price is lower and just stay until they bring out the better dinner options.

I know the Golden Corral here has stopped putting out plates for you to grab. You have to wait for staff to bring you a new plate which will probably greatly cut down on how much people can eat or waste in some cases

[MichelleHW101]

Honestly, at an all you can eat buffet there is no time limit.  However, I think proper etiquette is one all you can eat type of meal.  I mean if there is a buffet (like here in VA there is Old Country Buffet) and it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, I don't think it proper etiquette to stay for all three meals or even two of the three.  If you come in for breakfast, I think it would be rude to stay through lunch and dinner or come for lunch and stay through dinner.  If it only serves one type of meal, I believe the general rule is leave when you are full, but there is no time limit for that.       

[AdedotunOlufunke]

The buffet i go here is a little bit different, I know you can eat all you want but here, once you start going for the second round, the workers start looking at you in some kinda way that makes you feel a little bit uncomforatble and once you get up for no 3, they bring the tab and plae it on your table. My dad does not care, he tells me " this is a buffet, i'm gon get my monies worth"..lol

[sbenkoski]

The very best I have ever seen at Old Country Buffet on SR's day, there  was a old guy all by him self eating the vanilla and orange frozen yogurt and I kid you not, he took a dinner plate and mounded the stuff about a foot and a half tall... he walked by mine and my friends table and i almost passed out laughing. And he did this 3 times  and then did the same thing with mashed potatoes and gravy. Never seen any thing so goofy in my life. And he was a skinny dude, he had to have eaten 5 gallons of ice cream.  I could not stop giggling.

[snuggleycutejc]

I feel one of the buffet's etiquette is one who screams more, more, more and really keeps their plate, spit, and the food-run to their-self/personal space than I say scream it with a smile on your face is the only way to go.

[aflyingmonkey]

I frequent buffets fairly often... there is no special etiquette. Eat all you want, don't finish what you don't like.
Stay as long as you want. Now if you camped out there & did homework all day & continually ate, that would probably be frowned upon...
Tip the person who takes away your plates.

Enjoy!

[ladavia89]

I frequent buffets fairly often... there is no special etiquette. Eat all you want, don't finish what you don't like.
Stay as long as you want. Now if you camped out there & did homework all day & continually ate, that would probably be frowned upon...
Tip the person who takes away your plates.

Enjoy!

I enjoyed doing that greatly in my college's dining hall. Eat a meal then pull out my computer and do work while enjoying unlimited soda and cookies.

[vickysue]

I don't think you should make a pig of yourslef. I have seen  (mostly men) who will fill their plates  piled high with the most expensive items and then not eat it all.  I rarely can get   down a full plate, so i just try a little of  some things that i have never eaten to try, along with a plate of salad, then i may  go back and get one item that i like and a little dessert.  I don't like being over stuffed.

[madeara]

Eat all you want.  However, be sensible and respectful about it. Don't overeat just because the food is there.

[lhz123]

I love going to buffet but I do'nt eat super just love to have many selections.